Force applying device

Abstract

A force applying device includes an operating unit for moving a cursor on a two-dimensional plane surface, actuators for applying forces to the operating unit in accordance with the movement of the operating unit, and a controlling unit for controlling the actuators. When the cursor is on a first area on the two-dimensional plane surface, a predetermined first force is applied to the operating unit. When the cursor is on a second area, a second force, which is different from the first force, is applied to the operating unit. The second force is stored in the first memory 10 a , and the second area that provides the second force is disposed on the two-dimensional plane surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A force applying device comprising: 
 an operating unit for moving a cursor on a two-dimensional X-Y plane surface of a display;    at least one actuator for applying a force to the operating unit in accordance with the movement of the operating unit; and    a controlling unit for controlling the at least one actuator,    wherein the two-dimensional plane surface has a first area and at least one second area;    wherein, when the cursor is on the first area, the at least one actuator applies a predetermined first force to the operating unit;    wherein, when the cursor is on the at least one second area, the at least one actuator applies a second force, which is different from the first force, to the operating unit;    wherein the second force defines a predetermined unit force pattern and is stored in a first memory; and    wherein the at least one second area where the second force is provided is disposed on the two-dimensional plane surface.    
     
     
         2 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second area comprises a plurality of second areas.  
     
     
         3 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first memory stores a plurality of the unit force patterns that differ from each other, and wherein the controlling unit selects a predetermined unit force pattern from the unit force patterns for the second area.  
     
     
         4 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of the at least one second area on the two-dimensional plane surface is stored in a second memory and is determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         5 . A force applying device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second memory stores a table of coordinates of each unit force pattern, and wherein, when one of the unit force patterns is selected, the position of the second area corresponding to the selected unit force pattern is determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         6 . A force applying device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one second area is movable on the two-dimensional plane surface, and wherein the table of coordinates is rewritten in accordance with the movement of the at least one second area on the two-dimensional plane surface and the rewritten table of coordinates is stored in the second memory.  
     
     
         7 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unit force pattern of the second force that is provided at the at least one second area is such that the second force decreases from the value of the first force, and, then, increases to the value of the first force, so that a pulling sensation is provided at the operating unit.  
     
     
         8 . A force applying device according to  claim 7 , wherein the unit force pattern of the second force that is provided at the at least one second area is such that the second force gradually decreases from the value of the first force and, then, gradually increases to the value of the first force, so that a pulling sensation is provided at the operating unit.  
     
     
         9 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unit force pattern of the second force that is provided at the at least one second area is such that the second force decreases from the value of the first force and, then, increases, repeatedly, so that a sensation of roughness is provided at the operating unit.  
     
     
         10 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the unit force pattern of the second force that is provided at the at least one second area is such that the second force increases from the value of the first force, and, then, decreases, so that a tactile feel is provided at the operating unit.  
     
     
         11 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first force is applied at a constant value in the first area.  
     
     
         12 . A force applying device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises an X actuator and a Y actuator, the X actuator applying a force in an x direction on the two-dimensional plane surface to the operating unit and the Y actuator applying a force in a y direction on the two-dimensional plane surface to the operating unit.  
     
     
         13 . A force applying device according to  claim 12 , wherein the unit force pattern of the second force that is provided at the at least one second area is defined by the force in the x direction and/or the force in the y direction.  
     
     
         14 . A force applying device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first memory stores a plurality of the unit force patterns that differ from each other, and wherein the controlling unit selects a predetermined unit force pattern from the unit force patterns for the second area.  
     
     
         15 . A force applying device according to  claim 2 , wherein the positions of the second areas on the two-dimensional plane surface are stored in a second memory and are determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         16 . A force applying device according to  claim 3 , wherein the position of the at least one second area on the two-dimensional plane surface is stored in a second memory and is determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         17 . A force applying device according to  claim 14 , wherein the positions of the second areas on the two-dimensional plane surface are stored in a second memory and are determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         18 . A force applying device according to  claim 15 , wherein the second memory stores a table of coordinates of each unit force pattern, and wherein, when one of the unit force patterns is selected, the position of the second area corresponding to the selected unit force pattern is determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         19 . A force applying device according to  claim 16 , wherein the second memory stores a table of coordinates of each unit force pattern, and wherein, when one of the unit force patterns is selected, the position of the second area corresponding to the selected unit force pattern is determined using the second memory.  
     
     
         20 . A force applying device according to  claim 17 , wherein the second memory stores a table of coordinates of each unit force pattern, and wherein, when one of the unit force patterns is selected, the position of the second area corresponding to the selected unit force pattern is determined using the second memory.